‘Maybe. You don’t like the sea?’
‘I told you I’ve lived in the Hamptons, remember?’
Lived, in the past tense, isolated Jordan. ‘Much rougher there than here.’
‘So I’m right!’ she demanded.
‘Wait and see.’
‘What time?’
‘Ten. I’ll call you if there’s any change.’
Not wanting to use those of previous expeditions, Jordan got the names of three new yacht charterers from the concierge on his way upstairs and fixed meetings with the two most convenient, both with boats available in the port. A man of instinctive attention to detail Jordan checked the following day’s predicted wind strength and chose the twin-hulled catamaran instead of the older, mahogany-fitted single hull he would have preferred in calmer conditions. It took longer to decide the food and wine he wanted, even for a one-day charter than it did to choose between the two yachts. The departure was confirmed for ten o’clock, which meant he didn’t have to alter their already agreed schedule. Jordan could easily have got back to the Carlton for dinner but guessed she would be eating there, so he ate again in the restaurant dominating the marina. From his balcony table he could easily see the catamaran he’d hired being prepared for the following day.
Jordan’s 9 a.m. call was a test, to assess her tone.
‘Is there a problem?’ she asked at once
‘None at all. I’m just checking it’s still all right with you?’ She’d been worried, prepared for disappointment.
‘I’m looking forward to it.’
You got everything?’
‘Everything.’
‘I’ll see you in the lobby at nine forty-five.’
She carried a small duffel bag and wore jeans, a white shirt with a thin anorak looped around her shoulders, her blonde hair in a ponytail under the bill cap, confident without any make-up, and Jordan thought she looked good enough to eat and hoped he would be doing just that very shortly. He definitely wouldn’t be moving on soon. He’d ordered a hotel car rather than bother with the hired Renault, pleased to see that the previously tipped crew of two men and one woman were already waiting for their arrival, the catamaran open and ready to sail.